Hitch



A. A. SCARLETT Sept. 19, 1944.`

HITGH Filed Sept.- 2l, 1942 Patented Sept. 19, 1944 UNITE-"D`V S'I'fATES`V PATENT `OFFICE HITCH Arthur. A.V Scarlett, Hamlton, Ontario, Canada, assignor, by mesne assignments, to International Harvester Company, Chicago, Ill., a, corporation'of New Jersey" Application. September 21, 1942, Serial No. 459,094

9 Claims..

ticularly to a hitch of the releasable type adapted to -connect a trailing'vehicle. or implement to a source of draft power.

Releasable hitches of the general type to which this .invention .pertains have -been 4heretofore employed,v particularly -in the agricultural held. Such. hitches .are desirable in the connecting of a plow, for example', .to a tractor sorthat the hitch' is 'zautomatically. releasablel to disconnect` the plow rfromithe'tractorwhen an obstructionis encountered bythe plow. The various forms of hitchesheretofore'known havexbeen satisfactory ingeneral but 'have-been characterized by certain defects f in' theV structure and function" thereof,'fparticularly 4as respects'the reconnecting Y of `the' hitch 'after release: Many .of the hitches require .a resetting of `the automatic release means andfinLmostcases thisis a comparatively annoying' task.

Thei principal object of the present invention is to provide a new andiimproved releasable hitch generally. ofthe type and for `the purposes referred to above.

It is an important object toprovide a hitch automatically'.releasable*inresponse to a predetermined excess in draftforces and to provide the releasable means of simple form so that the hitch may be easily reconnected between a trail ing vehicle or implement and" a source of draft power.

Another important object is to provide a hitch draft Vehicle andl trailing implement.,

Another important object :is to provide the" hitch with a, releasable hook' that has an unobstructed connecting portionso that Athe hook may Figure 3 is an endelevation of the hitchj .and

Figure 4 is a view of the forward portion of the hitch shown as being releasedfrom a clevis having. improved cushioning means wherebyr the hitch includes a' resilient connection betweenthe This invention relates to a hitchrandmore Par-H or other connecting element on a source of draft power.

The preferred form of hitchti-llustratedicomprises Va first lhit-ch part or :'draftlmember .I 0 in-` cluding a pair .of longitudinallyextending parallel vertically spaced barsI Ifand I2.- z The rear'ends of the'bars are apertured;on avertical axis. as`

at I3 to provide for'the'connection or attachment c of the hitch part I0 t'o'a trailin'grvehicle. or'implev ment.

The forwardV ends .of the". bars Hand I2 have rigidly secured thereto'a vtransverse yvertical "plate I4.V This platey is provided with a pair of transversely spaced apertures ISfarranged onyaxes paralleling the longitudinal barswl I and I2. A

pairv of longitudinally extending -rods `I6rextend respectively throughthe. apertures orV holes I5 andfr'espectively through a pair of transversely spaced .apertures in a rearwardly disposed cross bar I'I.V This' bar is'transversely1 disposedr with respectto'the'bars I I 'andzI-Z and is slidably Vassociated therewith.' A coil spring I8 surrounds each rod i6, andits opposite ends abut the plate I4 and cross bar I1.v Thesev springs lform part Iof the rcushioning means for ther-hitch;

Each of ther rodsV I6 extendsforwardly of the plate I4 and' carries thereorra 4headv I9 includf ing'a'shoulder 20 abutting-the frontr surface of the plate I4. Thehead: portions I9 are respectively provided with transversely alined openings or'bores 2I inwhich is carriedfa transverse connecting pin 22. vThe normal positions of the parts 1 just described areillustrated in Figures 1 and2 whereinv it is shown that. the 'compression of` the springs I8 is such asto'maintain the shoulders 20 on the heads lof the-rodsv I6 against the plate I4.=^ The rear'ends of .therods I6'are preferably rigidly Vsecured as` by welding to the transverse bar; or plate I1.

Tre transverse connecting pin 122carriesa second hitch part or head 23 having, a central bearing portion 24 free tovmove about the pin 22. The head includes an upper rearwardportion` 25 that normally abuts the. upperyfront surface of the plate I4 anda forwardly disposed connecting portion in the form of a. hook 26. The hook may be connected to 4a draft :vehicle or other source of draft. powerpa representation of which is indicated in the drawing as including v a draw bar 21 having a clevis 28=that is engaged by the hook 26 or thehitch head 23.

As best shown in Figure 2, the connecting point between the clevis `28..and, the hookl of `.-the

hitch head 23 is longitudinally alined in the line of draft with the Vaxis of thetransverse pin 22.

also coincident with Vthe line of draft.

The line along which the springs I8 compress is Accordingly, as draft power is applied to the hitch for the drawing of the implement or trailing vehicle, relative longitudinal movement may occur between the rst and second hitch parts I and 23. This relative movement is represented by forward movement of the hitch head 23 and rods I6 with respect to the hitchA bars I'I and I2 and against the compression of the springs I8. It will thus be seen that the springs I8 serve to cushion shocks that may occur when the draft power is applied suddenly. It will also be noted that the disposition of the axis of the pivot pin 22 with respect to the line of` draft and the hook 26 of the hitch head 23 is such that the hitch head does not pivot on the pin 22, in which i case the hook does not releasefrom the clevis 28. Still further, it is to be noted that the hook 2E is unobstructed at all times so that it may be moved vertically out of engagement with the clevis 28. The importance of this feature will be made clear presentlyl Y The hitch head 23 is provided with an opening 29 disposed on a transverse axis parallel to and spaced, above the transverse axis of the pivot-pin 22. This opening carries the forward bent end 3D of a link 3| rhavingja longitudinally rearwardly extending portion 32passing through a longitudinally directed opening 33 in the plate I4 and carrying stop means in the form of a collar 34 anda pairof adjusting nuts 35.

As best shown in Figure 4, the link 3| and its associated fparts provide release means for automatically effecting movement of the hitch head 23V to a position permitting release of the hook 26 from the clevis 28. As previously stated, the mere application of draft power to the hitch parts will not cause angular movement of the hitch head 23 about the pivot or connecting pin 22, because of the relationship between the pin and the point of engagement between the hook and clevis. However, after the hitch head and its associated parts have'moved forwardly with respect to the hitch part I0, as in response to resistance encountered by the trailing vehicle or implement, the collar 34 of the stop means on the link 3| will engage the rear surface of the plate I4. In this manner continued forward movement of the upper portion of the hitch head 23 is arrested withthe result that the head is tilted rearwardly about the pivot pin 22. The hook portion 2B of the `head 23 thus moves upwardly with respect to the clevis 28 and these parts are subsequently released. The adjusting nuts 35 provide means by which the time of release of the hitch head 23 maybe regulated.

The transverse plate I4 carries at its rear side a bracket 36 on which is mounted ian upwardly extending handle 31. When the hitch is Vreleased from the draw bar, the' partsare returned by the springs I8 to the positions indicated in Figures 1 and 2. Of course there is some downward movement of the hitch with respect to the clevis 28 so that in the reconnecting of the hitch and the clevis it becomesnecessary to raise the hitch so that the hook 26 `may again be dropped into :position in the clevis. The handle 31 provides a convenient means Yby which therhitch may be lifted without necessitating the dismounting of the tractoror other vehicle-operator. i

The operation of the hitch should be apparent from the foregoing description of the Vconstruction thereof. It will be noted that the hitch combines cushion means and an automatic release feature, the latter being characterized by its simplicity. As stated above, the hitch head and its associated parts automatically return to normal position after release, and it is not necessary that the parts be reset, a heretofore complicated task. The means consisting of the link 3| and its related elements provide a simple form of adjusting means so that the amount of relative movement between the hitch parts can be regulated, thus enabling a selection of intervals before the hitch releases. i

Other objects and features of the invention .will undoubtedly suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It will be understood of course that the foregoing description refers to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that numerous modifications and' alterations may be made therein without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hitch comprising a first hitch part; a member mounted on the hitch part for yieldably resisted sliding movement with respect to said hitch part alongk the line of draft; a second" hitch part including a releasehook having a connecting portion; means pivoting the second hitch part on the sliding member on an axis transverse to the line of draft, the pivot' axis and the connecting portion of the hook being so disposed with respect to each other that the second hitch part normally fails to pivot for release of the hook upon application of a predetermined draft force even though relative sliding movement occurs between the sliding member and the flrstrhitch part; and limit means between the first and second hitch parts including means providinga pivot on an axis parallel to the aforesaid axis and at a portion of the second hitch part spaced from said first axis, whereby continued application of draft force pivots said second hitch part about the second pivot axis for release of the hook.

2. A hitch comprising a first hitch part; a second hitchrlpart including a release hook; a rod slidably mounted on the rst hitch part; spring means between the rod and first hitch part normally resisting relative sliding between the rod andrst hitch part; means rotatably mounting the second hitch part on the rod on an axis transverse to and'intersecting the line of draft through said hitch parts, so that the second hitch partis normally non-rotatable on the rod upon sliding of the rod vwith respect to the rst hitch part; vand a second rod loosely lconnected between the rst -hitch part and the second hitch part for permitting a limited amount of sliding movement of said first rod and second hitch part with respect to the first hitch part,said second rod including a portion engaging the second hitch part at a portion thereof spaced from the aforesaid pivot axis to initiate rotation of said second hitch part.

3. A hitch comprising a rst hitchV part; a second hitchY part including a release hook; a member movably connected to the rst hitch part; spring means between the member and first hitch part normally resisting relative movement between the member and rst hitch part; means rotatably mounting the second hitch part on the member on an axis transverse to and intersecting the line of draft through said hitch parts, so that the second hitch part is normally non-rotatable on the member upon movement of the member with respect to the first hitch part; and a link loosely connected between the first hitch part and the second hitch fpart for permitting a limited amount of movement of said member and second hitch part as a unit with respect to the first hitch part, said link including a portion engaging the second hitch part at a portion thereof spaced from the aforesaid pivot axis to initiate rotation of said second hitch part. j

4. A hitch comprising a first hitch part; a member mounted on the hitch part for yieldably resisted movement with respect to said hitch part; a second hitch part including a release hook having a connecting portion; means pivoting the second hitch part on the member on an axis transverse to the line of draft, the pivot axis and the connecting portion of the hook .being so disposed with respect to each other that the second hitch part normally fails to pivot for release of the hook upon application of a predetermined draft force even though relative movement occurs between the member and the first hitch part; and adjustable limit means betweenthe first and second hitch parts including means pro-- Y viding a pivot on an axis parallel to the aforesaid axis and at a portion of the second hitch part spaced from said first axis, whereby continued application of draft force pivots said second hitch part about the second pivot axisfor release of the hook.

5. A release hitch for connection .between a trailing vehicle or implement and a draft vehicle havingl a connecting element: said hitch comprising a first hitch part, including means for connection to the trailing vehicle or implement; a second hitch part comprising a hook adapted for connection to the connecting element of the draft vehicle; means mounting the second hitch part on the first hitch part for yieldably resisted separation from said first hitch part generally along the line of draft, and including a pivot for the hook on an axis transverse to the line of draft and spaced along the line of draft from the point 'of connection between the hook and the connecting element of the draft vehicle so that said axis and said point of connection are alined on the line of draft; and means for effecting pivoting of the hook on said axis after a predetermined separation of the first and second hitch parts.

6. A release hitch, comprising a hitch bar adapted for disposition along the line of draft between a draft source and a trailing vehicle or implement; a plate secured at one end of said bar transversely thereof, said plate including a pair of apertures paralleling the line of draft and spaced apart transversely of the line of draft; a rod slidable through one aperture with respect to the bar; spring means between the rod and bar to yieldably resist said sliding; means providing a pivot on the rod on an axis transverse to the line of draft and adjacent the plate; a hook mounted on said pivot and including a portion normally maintained against rotation .by engagement with the plate; a link pivoted at one end to the hook on an axis paralleling the aforesaid pivot axis and spaced therefrom transversely of the line of draft, the other end of said link'rpassing slidably through the other aperture in the plate; and an adjustable y parts adapted respectively to be connected to a j draft vehicle and to a trailing vehicle, one hitch part including an open portion providing an unobstructed connecting hook; means mounting said hook on the other hitch part for cushioned movement along the line of draft with respect to said other hitch part, said means including a support mounting said hook also for movement from a connecting position to a release position; means retaining said hook in connecting position during limited cushioned movement of the hook with respect to the other hitch part; and means for effecting movement of the hook on the aforesaid support to release position, said open portion of the hook remaining unobstructed for reconnection to its vehicle. L

8. A hitch comprising a first hitch part; a second hitch part including a release hook; a pair of rods slidably mounted on the rst hitch part; spring means -between the pair of rods and the first hitch part normally resisting relative sliding between the pair of rods and the first hitch part; means rotatably mounting the second hitch part on the rods on an axis transverse to and intersecting the line ofdraft through said f hitch parts, so that the second hitch part is normally non-rotatable onthe rods upon sliding of the rods with respect to the first hitch part; and a third rod loosely connected between the first hitch part and the second hitch part for permitting a limited amount of sliding movement of said pair of rods and second hitch part with respect to the iirstvhitch part, said thirdrod including a portion engaging the second hitch part at a portion thereof spaced from the aforesaid pivot axis to initiate rotation of said second hitch part.

9. A release hitch comprising a hitchvbar `adapted for disposition along the line of draft between a draft source and a trailing vehicle or implement; a plate secured at oneend of said bar transversely thereof, said plate including a pair of apertures paralleling the line of draft and spaced apart transversely of the line of draft, said plate including a third aperture paralleling the first apertures and spaced vertically therefrom; a pair of rods slidable respectively through the .pair of apertures with respect to the bar; spring means between the pair of rods and :bar to yieldably resist said sliding; means providing a pivot on the pair of rods on an axis transverse t0 the line `of draft and adjacent the plate; a hook mounted on said pivot and including a portion normally maintained against rotation by engagement with the plate; a link pivoted at one end to the hook on an axis paralleling the aforesaid pivot axis and spaced vertically therefrom, the other end of said link passing slidably through the third aperture in the plate; and an adjustable stop on the link engageable with the plate after predetermined sliding of the hook and pair of rods together with respect to the hitch bar and plate.

ARTHUR A. SCARLE'IT. 

